Mumbai crime: Thieves flee with Rs 60,000-cash gifts from wedding

Adding to the rising cases of thieves striking wedding parties and making away with gifts, a gang recently struck one such party in Kurla and fled with gift envelopes containing around Rs 60,000

Adding to the rising cases of thieves striking wedding parties and making away with gifts, a gang recently struck one such party in Kurla and fled with gift envelopes containing around Rs 60,000.

A case in this regard has been registered at the Kurla police station, after the groom’s brother, Manoj Mantri, lodged a complaint on February 10, a day after the party. The police suspect involvement of pre-teen thieves.

An official from the Kurla police station said, “Everyone was busy during the reception and the responsibility ofcollecting gifts was given to the groom’s sister, Surekha. She kept all the envelopes in one bag.”

Later, she was called to pose with the bride and the groom for a family photo. Surekha kept the bag on her chair and went for the photograph.

“Surekha was sitting next to the groom and had left the bag in her chair. After the family picture was clicked, she returned to her seat to collect the bag, but it was missing. The family searched everywhere inside the hall but couldn’t locate it,” said an officer.

Copspeak“We visited the Kachi Visa Hall on LBS Road in Kurla, and discovered that it did not have CCTV cameras. Now we have asked for pictures and videos of the reception,” said an official.

A case has been registered under section 380 (theft in dwelling house) of the Indian Penal Code against the unidentified thieves.

Though the exact amount of money in the envelopes has not been ascertained, Mantri said that based on the number of guests at the reception, the amount should not be less than Rs 60,000.